Twilight

This was an awesome movie! I didn't read the books (yet) but was able to follow along nicely. I had certain expectations and had heard rumors - but folks, it's about vampires so it wasn't really that hard to keep up. Unless you've been under a rock, you know what they look like, eat, act like, etc. No shockers there.
As for the overall feel, I really enjoyed the acting. Both lead characters did an excellent job. I have to say that my favorite acting was the secondary players though. Billy Burke as the dad was great - just like you'd expect in this role. Sarah Chalke as the mom was genius. The whole time I kept wondering where I knew her from and then BAM - she was the evil Nina on "24." (As a side note, several of the actors were in "24"... coincidence???)
There were issues with some of the directing that I need to point out. In the scene in which Edward shows Bella what he really looks like, his shirt is undone (thankyougod). But in the next shot, his shirt is buttoned up - not enough time to do this. There were several timing errors like this one that I caught - and I'm not a professional movie critic. This is the director's fault and it doesn't sound like it will be repeated as the gossip fodder is growing that Catherine Hardwicke may not be at the helm for the next series in this saga.
There is no sex, only a brief make-out scene. You don't actually get to see someone sucking the blood out of an unwilling human. There are a few scenes that border on that, but none that should make your teen have nightmares. In fact, it might make your teens hot for the male lead, steamy Robert Pattinson or the tomboy Kristen Stewart. I have to say that I've really liked Stewart's acting since "Panic Room." She's great in everything - I just wish she'd smile more.
As for the appropriateness, I would let 13 year olds and up view this. There are scenes that parents may feel are too grown-up for their smaller kids.
I would definitely say this movie is one to watch - and watch out for the sequels. I hope they don't disappoint.

The Defiant Ones

This movie is a social statement about race relations in the 50s. It was made in 1958 and is in black & white (I know, ironic). As convicts, Sidney Poitier plays the black man shackled to the white man (Tony Curtis) as they are in the process of being transported to a facility. The prison van overturns and the two men have adventures on the lam. Their need to break their shackles and free themselves from each other is compounded by their need to get away from the posse. Add to this they need to sleep, eat and move quickly - all while shackled. I won't spoil the rest for you - yet there are comical moments along with the suspense.
Now for the dirt. There are "names" that are not p.c. for describing black people in this movie. Some language may not be what you'd want to listen to with your grammy, but hey, it's two convicts on the run. There is sexuality in that the two run across a young white woman, who has a young son. She is very much into Tony Curtis (and who wouldn't be?). The audience sees part of what we know will be love-making, but the camera pans to the window with the curtains rustling in the breeze. I also need to mention that the woman's son wears a gun in almost every shot he's in and gets injured (though not by the gun).
This is not a movie for kids. I would recommend teens and up watch this and with an open mind. This is more of a history lesson put in a fictional movie than casual entertainment. The movie was nominated for a slew of Oscars but won only 2 for cinematography and screenplay. It is a shame, really, because the two star actors did a phenomenal job.
*Remember, you can click on the titles to see the trailer or snippet on most posts by clicking on the title. :)